Shell for high explosives



. (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. LEFEVER & J. A. BREMNER.

SHELL FOR HIGH BXPLOSIVES No. 476,395.

Patented June 7, 1892.

Y 2'Sheets-.She-et 2. E. LEFEVER 8u JfA. BRHMNHR.

SHELL FOR HIGH EXPLOSIVES. v No. 476,395.` Patented June 7, 1892..

(No Model.)

Wmme@- UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

EDWARD LEFEVER AND JOHN A. BREMNER, OF SYRACUSEfNEW YORK.

\ vsHlLL FOR HIGH ExeLoslvEs.V

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,395, dated June 7,1892.

` Application filed November 12, 1390- Serial No. 371,257. (No model.)

To wlrwhom t mwg/ concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD LEFEVER and JOHN A. BREMNER, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and Stateof New York, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Shells for High Explosives; and we do hereby declare the following`to be a full, clear, and exactl'description of the invention, such as'will enable others skilled Vin the art to which it 'appertains to makeand use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure l is an elevation of our shell complete; Fig; 2, a centrallongitudinal section of the same; Fig. 3, a transverse section taken onlines w w,.Figs..l and 2; Fig. 4.a transverse section taken on lines x;Fig. 5, a similar section taken on lines y y; Fig. 6, a like sectiontaken Yon linese' z; Fig. 7, a view of the breech or rearward end of theshellbody with internal portionsremoved; Fig. S,

Van interior plan of the breech-piece or cap detached from the breech ofthe shell-body; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail representing in centraland longitudinal section the explosive-carrier ,erected in position uponits guide and supporting rod, and conjointly, by dotted lines or work,is represented, on like section, a portion of the surrounding wall ofthe shell-body.

Similar letters and figures of reference denote corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

Our invention relates to the construction of shells designed for ringhigh explosives from cannon.

Our object is the construction of a shell of the class described capableof carrying heavy charges of dynamite or other high explosive and tofurnish the shell such protection from the shock incident to theexplosion of the powder as shall absolutely prevent premature explosionof the explosive, Y Y

Our invention consists in the several novel features of construction andoperation hereinafter described, and which are specifically enumeratedin the several clauses of claims hereunto annexed. y v

It is constructed as follows:

A is the body proper of the shell, formed of an integral piece of hardmetal (preferably cast, wrought, or block steel) and of tubular formlongitudinally, usually conical or slightly rounded at its forward end,and open (until closed) at its breech portion, the diameter of the bodys circumferential chamber.

B is a thick breech-piece or closing-cap formed of hard metal, screwedor otherwise removably secured to the breeclrof the body of the shelland tightly closing the opening O of the chamber O therein.

D is a jacket composed of lead or other soft metal,circumferentiallyinclosing the periph-` ery of the body A a suitabledistance longitudinally, and preferably, starting at about midway thebodys length and extending to the breech or rear extremity thereof andterminating thereat in an annular flanged o r rimmed portion ct,abutting horizontally, against the external peripheral-shoulderedportion b of the shell-body A, whence Starts the exteriorly reduced orcontracted externally-threaded extremity c of the breech portion ofl thebody of the shell, and whereby the breech-piece B, having forwardly theinternally-threaded circu inferentially-flanged portion d, is attachableto the threaded extremity c of the bodyand at its front edge pressingagainst and accom modating itself to the pliable or yielding softmetalflange a ofthe jacket D and at the point of union or contact therewithforming a perfect air and gas tight joint, as indicated at e. It isobvious that the iianged threaded portion d of the `breech-piececircumferentially inclosing the tubular threaded extremity c of theshells body, retains the same securely against lateral strain andpressure, or, in other words, from bulging outwardly when subjected toservice. The peripheral surface of the soft-metal jacket or envelope Dprojects sufficientlyoutward beyond the periphery of the hard-metal bodyportion A tocloscly t within the boreof a cannon, and therebv retainingcentrally and practically in nonvcontact with the gun interior thehard-metal body proper of the shell. This jacket D is provided withannular or circumferential lubrcato1grooves]"`, (or other requisiteindentations ordepressions,) entering partially into the soft-metaljacket, the aforesaid grooves being disposed at preferred or stateddistances apart accordingly as desired. The external IOO is to beinclosed by the soft-metal jacket aforesaid, is slightly reduced in sizecircumferentially and creating an annular shoulder or offset g, which,in connection with the pecked or otherwise roughened or unevencircumferential surface of the shell-body thereat, as indicated bytheletter 71 at various points insures a firm grip or hold for thejacket D, (usually molded thereto,) the soft metal necessarily enteringinto the depressions or inequalities of said surface, and thus, inconnection with the hard-metal shoulderg ofthe body, against which itabuts at its forward edge, is firmly and immovably held to the body Aand liability of displacement therefrom either longitudinally orlaterally effectively prevented.

Centrally and longitudinally' within the extended cham-ber C, created bythe tubular body of the shell, we erect agnide or supporting rod E,preferably of cast-steel, extending from end to end of said chamber andsecured forwardlywithin a circular cavityz'of slightly larger diameterthan the rod, formed centrally in the forward end of the body, said rodextremity partially entering same and abutting against a short coiledspring 7a, disposed at the closed end of the cavity and partly occupyingsame lengthwise, and the rear end of the guide or supporting rodpartially enters and abuts against asimilar coiled spring 7a', lyingwithin a corresponding cavity i', formed in the inner face of thedetachable breech-piece B and lineally with the companion cavity z' atthe forward extremity of the chamber C. The function of the afore-"named springs 7c 7c is to relieve the rod of sudden or excessive jar orvibration and insurin g easy play of same longitudinally when the shellis discharged from acannon. Upon said guide or supporting rod E wecentrally and longitudinally mountan explosive-carrying cylinder orcarrier F, normally resting slightly forward of the middle point of thechamber C, and being of smaller diameter than said chamber C is inabsolute non-contact at all points with the surrounding chamber-wall,said explosive-carrying cylinder or carrier F comprising, conjointly, anouter cylinder 1 and a cylinder 2, of less diameter and shorter length,inclosed therein, said inner cylinder 2 (in which the dynamite or otherhigh explosive is placed) being disposed in absolute non-contact withthe surrounding wall of the inelosing cylinder 1 of the cylindricalcarrier F. Each of these cylinders l and 2, comprising, respectively, abody portion and an end cover, we preferably constructof wood or othernon-vibratory material.

The central tube Z of the eylinder'l, creating an annular chamberthereto, is also-pref'- erably formed of wood orother non-vibratorymaterial and extending longitudinally from end to end thereof (andrigidly secured thereto at its rear end) is'formed of sufficientcircumference to entirely clear the inclosed guide or supportin g rod E,whereby an annular open space m is created, and thus, heilig in absolutenon-contact therewith, frictionless longitudinal movement thereon ispositively assured. The forward annular opening of the cylinder 1 isprovided with a cover @,secured in place by screws or other satisfactorymeans.

Vithin the cylinder l We place the smaller and explosive-chargedcylinder 2, said cylinder being also provided with a central tube 0,attached to the cylinders rear end or head, and formed by preference ofWood or other non-vibratory material and extending from end to end ofthe cylinder and being of sufficient diameter to movably inclose orsurround the 'central longitudinal tube l of the outer cylinder 1A ofthe explosive-carrier F. Within the interior cylinder 2 of the aforesaidcarrier is packed the explosive 3, there being interposed between saidexplosive and the ends of the inner cylinder 2 a packing p of felt orother suitable elastic or pliable material. Thisinner cylinder 2, (ofannular form transversely,) in Which the explosive is placed and whichisof less length longitudinally than the outer inclosing cylinder l, isprovided upon the outer face of its respective ends or heads with spiralcompensating springs r r', encircling the tubular portion Z of thecylinder 1 and extending from the exterior face of the ends of thecylinder 2 to and against the inner face of the ends of the inclosingcylinder 1 and serving the function of an elastic bearing or easementbetween the said mentioned parts. Said afore-described interior cylinder2 is provided with a cover s to its annular forward opening, secured inposition by screws or other suitable means, connecting said cover withthe body of the cylinder.

t t are elastic washers of leather, rubber, or other suitable elasticmaterial, cemented or otherwise firmly attached to the external face ofthe front and rear ends of the outer cylinder 1 of the explosive-carrierF, said washers having a central aperture and fitting snugly around theperipery of the guide and supporting rod E.

4 is a spiral spring encircling the forward portion of the guide orcentering rod E and extending from a centrally-perforated disk u,(preferably metallic,) disposed at the forward extremity of the chamberC of the body of the shell, against which it lies, rearwardly to and indirect contact with the washer t upon the cover of the cylinder 1 of theexplosive-carrier and attached securely to the disk u aforementioned,then extends rearwardly partially the length of the coiled spring 4, aheavier and stiifer coiled spring 5, the helices thereof surrounding innon-contact the smaller spring 4, and thereby insuring perfect freedomof movement of either of the springs irrespective ofthe degree ofcompression or expansibility one or the other may undergolongitudinally.

Gis a spiral springcorrespondingin diameter to the spring 4,aforementioned, but of some- IOO what greater length, and whichencircles the guide or supporting rod E and extending from the Washerton the exterior face of the rear extremity of the cylinder l rearwardlyto and against a centrally-perforated disk o, (preferably metallic,)inclosing the rod E, the said disk lying on or against the interior faceof the breech-piece B, secured to the breech of the body of the shell,and 7 is a heavier and Io stiffer coiled spring encircling innon-contact the smaller spring 6, while 8 is a still heavier and stiffercoiled spring inclosingin non-contact the spring 7 aforementioned, andthe helices of one spring not interfering with the helices of theadjacent spring perfect freedom of movement longitudinally is insured.The spring 7 extends from the disk fu (to which it is attached)forwardly in near proximity to the washer t on the head ofv the cylinderl, 2o and the spring 8 (also attached to the disk aforesaid) extendsforwardly a slightly less distance. As is obvious, the smaller springs 4and G, pressing from opposite directions lightly against the adjacentends of the cylz 5 inder l of the explosive-carrier, serves to normallyretain same upon the rod E at a point slightly forward of the center oflength of the chamber C, and serving, also, to retain the disks u and QJin place.

H is a wad, of disk shape and of considerable thickness, formed of feltor other suitable com pressible or elastic material disposed adjacent to(or, when preferred, secured directly to) the outer rear face-of thebreech-piece B and is of sufficient circumference to slightly projectbeyond the periphery of the breechpiece B and lineally with theperipheral surface of the soft-metal jacket D upon the body of theshell. This wad H, of slightly greater 4o circumference than the body ofthe shell and its breech-piece B and of equal circumference with thejacket D, serves in quite a de- --gree to offset the first or primaryshock from the explosion of the gunpowder against which the wad has beenplaced, the said wad taking up the recoil and shutting off escapinggases generated by the explosion of the powder. The soft-metal jacket D,which, like the wad H, is of the exact circumference to closely fit 5othe bore of the cannon for which it is intended will, it is evident, notonly readily take the riiiing of the can non, but also instantaneouslyconform or adapt itself to any inequalities or slight projections thatmight exist within the bore of the cannon, the soft-metal jacketobviously presenting no resistance thereto, incidental to the passage ofthe shell along the bore of the gun. Moreover, the jacket D serves tocenter and retain lineal the body 6o proper of the shell while restingin the bore of a cannon and during its propulsion therein. Although, byway of exemplification, we herein illustrate the body proper of theshell provided with a soft-metal jacket of such ex- 6 5' ternalconfiguration as to especially render our shell suitable for service ina smooth-bore cannon, it is' correspondingly and equally applicable forusage in arilled cannon by merely so configurating the peripheralsurface of the jacket that it will correspond to the riding of the boreof the gun. As is evident, the various and differently located springsutilized in the construction of our shell serve as a positive andreliable cushioning for the parts entering into the formation of theexplosive-carrier.

It is obvious that by reason. of our novel manner of construction andthe arrangement of the several parts entering into the formation of ourshell, the body of the shell, the explosive-carrier, or the cylinderscomprising said carrier are clearly adapted to take on a rotary motion,either singly or collectively, and to rotate in a like direction or inopposite directions, or one or more remain perfectly stationary so faras rotation is concerned, while one part spins or rotates upon its axis,all depending upon the specific revolution or rotary movement ormovements which may be imparted to the aforementioned parts i11- cidental to the discharge of the shell from out a rifled cannon, the riflingof the bore of the cannon necessarily imparting or causing a rotarymovement to the shell in its passage through it.

Our usual method of procedure for inserting the explosive within thebody of the shell, iirst having placed the explosive and end packing inthe smaller or explosivecharged cylinder2 of the carrier, securing theend coverthereof in position, andth'en disposing said internalcylinderin positionwithin the external cylinder 1 of the-carrier, thecoiled springs fr r being correctly placed and the end cover thereofsecured in position, is substantially as follows: First, the guide andsupporting rod E (that centers the explosivecarrier within the chamberof the shell) is inserted through the open breech forwardly along thechamber C and entering the cavity i' at the further extremity of saidchamber and pressing against the spring 7i; therein'. Next the smallspring 4 and heavier spring 5 are slipped onto the guide-rod E andprojected forwardly in position. Next the explosivecarrier (comprisingthe internal and external cylinders l 2) is slipped centrally along theguide-rod. Next the rearward springs 6, 7, and 8 are slid along the rodE into position, and, lastly, the breech-piece -B is rmly attached tothe breech end of the body of lthe shell, the rear end of the guide andcarrying rod centering at and partially entering the spring-providedcavity 7l. Zhen the shell is within the bore of a cannon, the wad H liesagainst the gunpowder therein and the breech-piece of the shell,abutting against the aforesaid wad. The ignited powder (or the impetusthereof) acting on the wad and indirectly the breech-piece of the shellwill have a tendency to or the effect of causing the cylindrical carrierF to move rearwardly, and accordingly as it moves backward the rearVcoiled springs 6, 7, 8, and 7s take up all the IIO recoil resultantfrom concussion. The elastic washers t t', fitted to the end of thecylinder 1 of the carrier and snugly fitting the rod E, preventvibrations extending to the chambers of the carrier-body and absolutelypreventing frictional contact thereof with carrying and supporting rodE, extendingthrough the same. Upon the back recoil the forward springs4, 5, and 7c serve as a cushioning for the carrier and taking up saidreturn recoil, the rearward springs expanding and following up the saidcarrier-body F. The explosive-carrier being centrally and freelysuspended, it is apparent that said arrangement,

in conjunction with the other novel and salient j; shell, of a movablelongitudinal guide or supf porting rod therein, elastic cushions at theextremities of said rod, an explosive-carrier enfeatures embodied in ourmanner of construction, renders it impossible when the ignited powderacts upon the shell-body for any friction or vibration of the body ofthe shell to be transmitted to the chambers of the explosivecarrier.

Practical tests and experiments made by us with our shell havedemonstrated to our satisfaction the immunity thereof from prematureexplosion Within the bore of a cannon.

. It is obvious that the open-air chamber, in .which the cylinder 1 ofthe explosive-carrier is disposed, and the interior open-air chambersurrounding the explosivefcharged cylinder 2 thereof, operate to protectthe carrier (and its internal parts) from the heat of the gunpowder. Thewad I-I also serves to a large degree Aa like purpose.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination, with the body of the shell, of an explosivecarrierdisposed centrallyV within the bore or chamber thereof of less diameterthan said bore or chamber and cushioned solely at its ends, asshown,whereby said explosivescarrier will be out of contact with anddisconnected from the encircling inner surface of the body,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, with the body of the shell, of an. explosive-carrierdisposed eentrally within the bore or chamber thereof and comprising aninner and an outer cylinder, said cylinders being cushioned solely attheir ends, and said outer cylinder being of less diameter than the boreor chamber of the body of the shell and said inner cylinder of lessdiameter than said outer cylinder, as shown, whereby the outer cylinderwill be out of contact with and disconnected from the encircling innersurface of the body and said inner cylinder out of contact with anddisconnected from the encircling wall of the outer cylinder.

3. The combination, with the body of the shell, of the explosive-carriermounted within the chamber of the body upon a support extending from endto end of the chamber and adapted to longitudinal movement thereon,substantially as described.

4. The combination,with the body of ashell,

f of a movable longitudinal guide or supporting rod therein, elasticcushions at the extremities of said rod, an explosive-carrier encirclingsaid rod, and cushions for said explosive-carrier.

5. The combination, with the body of the y shell, of a movablelongitudinal guide or sup- Q porting rod therein, elastic cushions attheexl tremities of said rod, an explosive-carrier enl circling said rod,and a plurality of coiled i springs of varied diameter and thicknessencircling said rod at either end thereof and Q serving as elasticcushions for said explosivecarrier,substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the body of the circling said rod, but innon-contact therewith, and cushions for'said explosive-carrier.

7. The combination, with the body of the shell, of a movablelongitudinal guide or supporting rod therein, elastic cushions at thecxtremities of said rod, an explosive-carrier encircling said rod, butin non-contact therewith, and a plurality of coiled springs of varieddiameter and thickness encircling said rod at either end thereof andserving as elastic cushions for said explosive-carrier, substantially asdescribed.

8. The combination, with the body of the shell, of a movablelongitudinal guide or supporting rod therein, elastic cushions at theextremities of said rod, an explosivecarrier encircling said rod andcomprising an inner and an outer cylinder, said cylinders being innon-contact with each other and said inner cylinder being in non-contactwith said rod and said outer cylinder with vthe encircling inner surfaceof the body of the shell, and elastic cushions for saidexplosive-carrier.

9. The combination, with the body of the shell, of a movablelongitudinal guide orsupporting rod therein, elastic cushions at theextremities of said rod, an explosive-carrier encircling said rod andcomprising an inner and an outer cylinder, said cylinders being innoncontact with each otherand said innercylinder being in non-contactwith said rod and said outer cylinder with the encircling inner surfaceof the body of the shell, elastic cushions for said innercylinder,interposed between the ends of said inner and outer cylindersand in contact therewith, and elastic cushions for said outer cylinderinterposed between the same and the end walls of the shell.

10. The combination, with the body of the shell, of the explosivecarrieror cylinder centrally disposed Within the bore or chamberof thebody and held in non-contact with the inclosing chamber-wall by itssupporting-rod that extends longitudinally beyond its ends and Whereonit is adapted to move longitudinally, substantially as described.

l1. The combination, withvthe body of the shell, of an explosive carrieror cylinder disposed within the bore or chamber of thebody IOO upon asupporting-rod adaptable to longitudinal movement, and saidexplosive-carrier adapted to parallel and independent movement thereon,substantially as described.

12. Thecombination, with the body of the shell, of the cylindricalexplosive-carrier mounted centrally within the bore or chamber of thebody upon a center support extending longitudinally through the carrierto the ends of the chamber, -the said carrier being in non-contact withthe surrounding chamberwall and retained yieldingly movablelongitudinally by suitable cushioning interposed between its heads andthe ends of the chamber of the body, substantially as described.

13. In a shell for high explosives, the combination of the breech-pieceinclosing and engaging by its annular interiorlythreaded extremity theannular exteriorly-threaded end of the breech portion of the shells bodywith the circumferential soft-metal flange or rim adjacent to the bodysbreech, and against which soft-metal portion the screwed breechpieceabuts, creating an air and gas tight union between said breech piece andthe breech portion of the shells body, substantially as described.

14. The combination,` with the body of the shell, of theexplosive-carrier comprising an outer and an inner cylinder adapted tofree and independent movement longitudinally, and mounted upon acentrally and longitudinally disposed guide and supporting rod withinthe chamber of the body, the outer peripheral surface of the interiorcylinder lying in non-contact within the outer and inclosing cylinder,and the external cylinder lying in non-contact with the interior surfaceof the chamber of the body, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the body of the shell, of a movablelongitudinal guide or supporting rod therein, elastic cushions at theextremities of said rod, an explosive-carrier en circling said rod andcomprising an inner and an outer cylinder, said cylinders being innoncontact with each other and said inner cylinder being in non-contactwith said rod and said outer cylinder with the encircling inner surfaceof the body of the shell, elastic cushions for said inner cylinderinterposed between the ends of the same and the outer cylinder, andcoiled springs of varied diameter and thickness encircling said rodbetween the ends of said outer cylinder and the end walls of the shelland serving as elastic cushions for the explosive-carrier, substantiallyas described.

16. The combination, with the body of the shell, of theexplosive-carrier centrally and longitudinally mounted upon a suitablesupport within the bore of said body and out of contact at all pointswith the encircling inner surface of the body, the saidexplosive-carrier being provided with one or more washers at itsextremities, that snugly iit the central support of the carrier andwhereby the center tube of the carrier surrounding said support isadapted to be held out of contact with aforesaid support, substantiallyas described.

17. The combination, with the body of the shell, of theexplosive-carrier movably disposed upon a central andlongitudinallyerected supporting-rod within the chamber of the body,'thesaid carrier comprising an outer' cylinder in non-contact with thesurrounding chamber-wall and an inner explosive-charged cylinder innon-contact with the surrounding wallof the inclosing cylinder, the saidinterior cylinder being cushioned externally its extremities and theadjacent inner ends of the inclosing cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

18. The combination, with the body of the shell, of theexplosive-carrier centrally and longitudinally mounted upon the guideand supporting rod extending from end to end of the chamber of thebodyand cushioned thereat, and the mechanical cushioning disposed at oradjacent to the outer ends of the explosivecarrier and in proximity tothe aforesaid guide and supporting rod, substantially asdescribed.

19. The combination, with the body of the shell, of the centrally andlongitudinally erected guide or supporting rod .situated within thechamber of the body and lineally movable to a degree therein, providedat its front and rear portions with a series of coiled springs of varieddiameter and stiffness, which encircle in non-contact one with the otherthe guide or supporting rod and adapted to movably retain in positionthe substantially-central interposed carrier, against which two or moreof the springs indirectly abut, substantially as described.

20. The combination, with the body of the shell,of the attached annularsoft-metal jacket provided at its rear end with an annular ange or rim,against which the contacting end ofthe breech-piece is adapted toforwardly press when secured to the body of the shell and forming an airand gas tight joint thereat, substantially as described.

21. A shell for high explosives, comprising a chamber-ed body and anexplosive-carrier therein consisting of separate independentlyrotatablecylinders contained the one within the other, substantially asdescribed.

22. A shell for high explosives, comprising a chambered rotatable bodyand an independently-rotatable explosive-carrier therein consisting ofseparate independentlyrotatable cylinders contained the one within theother.

23. The combination, with the body of the shell and a longitudinal guideor supporting rod therein, of an explosive-carrier encircling said rod,said explosive-carrier being of less diameter than the bore or chamberof the body and cushioned solely at its ends.

24. The combination, with the body of the shell and a longitudinal guideor supporting rod therein, of an explosive-carrier loosely encirclingsaid rod and of less diameterthan the IOO bore or chamber of the body,whereby it will be out of contact both with the encircling inner Wall ofthe bore or chamber and said rod and cushioned for said explosivecarrierlo- 5 cated solely at the ends thereof.

25. The combination, with the body of the shell and a longitudinal guideor supporting rod therein, of an explosive-carrier comprising an innerand an outer cylinder, said innel' cylinder having an opening through itfor the passage of said rod of greater diameter than said rod, wherebyit will be out of friclional Contact with said rod, and said outercylinder being of greater diameter than said I5 inner cylinder and ofless diameter than the EDWARD LEFEVER. JOHN A. BREMNER.

Vtitnesses: WM. C. RAYMOND, LESTER A. WORDEN.

LL. s] LL. s]

